XXXVII. And, after all, what is a lie? 'Tis but The very shadow of true Truth would shut Up annals, revelations, poesy, And prophecy-except it should be dated XXXVIII. Praised be all liars and all lies! Who now Kiss hands, feet, any part of majesty, After the good example of " Green Erin," (1) Whose shamrock now seems rather worse for wearing. XXXIX. Don Juan was presented, and his dress And mien excited general admiration — I don't know which was more admired or less: (1) [See the Irish Avatar, antè, Vol. XL. p. 320.] VOL. XVII. C XL. Besides the ministers and underlings, Who must be courteous to the accredited The very clerks,—those somewhat dirty springs By foul corruption into streams, -even they XLI. And insolence no doubt is what they are Employ'd for, since it is their daily labour, In the dear offices of peace or war; [neighbour, And should you doubt, pray ask of your next When for a passport, or some other bar To freedom, he applied (a grief and a bore), If he found not this spawn of taxborn riches, Like lap-dogs, the least civil sons of b -S. XLII. But Juan was received with much " ment:". empresse These phrases of refinement I must borrow From our next neighbours' land, where, like a chess man, There is a move set down for joy or sorrow Not only in mere talking, but the press. Man In islands is, it seems, downright and thorough, More than on continents-as if the sea (See Billingsgate) made even the tongue more free. XLIII. And yet the British "Damme" 's rather Attic In politesse, and have a sound affronting in't:— But "Damme"'s quite ethereal, though too daringPlatonic blasphemy, the soul of swearing. XLIV. For downright rudeness, ye may stay at home; XLV. In the great world,—which, being interpreted, And look down on the universe with pity,— Juan, as an inveterate patrician, Was well received by persons of condition. (1) "Anent" was a Scotch phrase meaning "concerning' 39 "with regard to:" it has been made English by the Scotch novels; and, as the Frenchman said, "If it be not, ought to be English." XLVI. He was a bachelor, which is a matter Of import both to virgin and to bride, The former's hymeneal hopes to flatter; And (should she not hold fast by love or pride) 'Tis also of some moment to the latter: A rib's a thorn in a wed gallant's side, Requires decorum, and is apt to double The horrid sin—and what's still worse, the trouble. XLVII. But Juan was a bachelor-of arts, [had And parts, and hearts: he danced and sung, and An air as sentimental as Mozart's Softest of melodies; and could be sad Or cheerful, without "flaws or starts," (1) any Just at the proper time; and though a lad, Had seen the world—which is a curious sight, And very much unlike what people write. XLVIII. Fair virgins blush'd upon him; wedded dames (1) [ "Oh, these flaws, and starts, (Impostors to true fear,) would well become XLIX. The milliners who furnish" drapery Misses"(1) Not to be overlook'd-and gave such credit, L. The Blues, that tender tribe, who sigh o'er sonnets, (1)" Drapery Misses." This term is probably any thing now but a mystery. It was, however, almost so to me when I first returned from the East in 1811-1812. It means a pretty, a high-born, a fashionable young female, well instructed by her friends, and furnished by her milliner with a wardrobe upon credit, to be repaid, when married, by the husband. The riddle was first read to me by a young and pretty heiress, on my praising the "drapery" of the "untochered" but "pretty virginities" (like Mrs. Anne Page) of the then day, which has now been some years yesterday: she assured me that the thing was common in London; and as her own thousands, and blooming looks, and rich simplicity of array, put any suspicion in her own case out of the question, I confess I gave some credit to the allegation. If necessary, authorities might be cited; in which case I could quote both "drapery" and the wearers. Let us hope, however, that it is now obsolete. |